Beta-glucan is one form of soluble dietary fiber that’s strongly linked to improving cholesterol levels, boosting heart health and immunity.
Beta-glucans form a natural component of the cell walls of bacteria and fungi, and cereals such as oats, barley and baker’s yeast.
Beta-glucan was discovered in the 1940s when Dr. Louis Pillemer discovered a substance that had immune activating properties. He called it Zymosan. While it did stimulate non-specific immunity response, it was made up of a relatively crude composition of various molecular structures.
Years later, research by Dr. Nicholas DiLuzio at Tulane University isolated the actual immune activating structure, called Beta-1,3-D-Glucan. In the 1970s, medical studies began on humans.
Many health researchers consider beta-glucans to be one of the most effective immune enhancing substances ever discovered.
The health benefits of beta-glucans are well known, documented and include:
- Supporting the innate immune system, which is the body’s first line of defense against illness and disease.
- Providing antioxidant properties to fight against free radical damage to cells and tissues.
- Helping to inhibit glycation, which is a process where an excess sugar molecule combines with an excess protein molecule and produces tremendous amounts of damaging free radicals
- Enhancing control of blood sugar and promoting reduction of the glycemic index.
- Reducing inflammation in cells and body tissues.
Most people have a compromised immune system these days due to the quality of food available, sugar in their diet, environmental toxins and ongoing daily stress. A compromised immune system “opens the door” to a range of acute illnesses, such as colds and flu, and more serious chronic, degenerative diseases.
Sugar has been Shown to Decrease Immunity by up to 50% for 6 Hours
This figure comes from a Loma Linda University study. But here’s the worst part: Since there is sugar in practically everything we eat on a daily basis, there’s a good chance you are operating with only 50% of your immunity most of the time.
The good news is that beta-glucans are available in supplement form to promote a stronger immune system and better health.